“Australia in general can be quite an intimidating place. They’re very passionate, very vocal as well.

"Thankfully we’ve got a lot of experience in the team, people who have played there before in good times and bad times.”

Asked whether Australian sledging extends beyond the cricket field, Anderson replied: “Certainly we felt that in 2006, and the wives and girlfriends felt it as well.

"When we were out at Christmas time and walking down the street we got abuse.

“But I think we dealt with it better in 2010, we tried to interact more with the public and actually embrace the culture, whereas in 2006 we were quite guarded and tried to stay in our little bubble and I thought we did it slightly wrong.

“I remember a situation [on the last tour] where we played golf, and a couple of guys duffed it on the first tee.

"Some people in the clubhouse were having a laugh, saying, ‘Your cricket’s the same’.

"But rather than getting your head down and rushing off, we tried to have a bit of banter.

“It’s not all horrible abuse, some of it is quite light-hearted and meant in the right way so we actually enjoyed that.”

England fly out on Wednesday for what will surely be a spicy series.

Last summer’s Ashes featured all sorts of flash points, the highest profile being Stuart Broad’s stubborn refusal to walk during the first Test.

Australia coach Darren Lehmann complained about “blatant cheating”, and eventually left the country with a parting shot about England’s slow over-rates and “dour” approach.

But Anderson does not expect there to be any specific hangover when the rematch begins on Nov 21.

“In 2006 it was very apparent that they weren’t our greatest fans, so I don’t think that whatever’s happened will make that any worse,” he said.

“As for Broady, he copped quite a lot in 2010-11, and dealt with it brilliantly until he got injured.”

The one area where Anderson does expect some extra animosity is in the Australian media.

Three years ago, the local newspapers spent so much energy chewing over some questionable picks from their own selectors – Michael Beer, anyone? – that they had little left for their opponents.

“At the start of that series Australia weren’t sure of their strongest team,” said Anderson, “whereas now they’re a bit more settled, so I imagine the focus will probably be more on Pommie bashing this time. We will have to prepare ourselves for that.”